(Original post by 1992LP)
Ah ok! The 1.4 and 1.6 in the mk5 are very slow though, pretty much the same engine that the mk4 had and in a car that weights a lot more. I had a 1.4 as a company car briefly (while the Focus TDCI was getting tyres) and it was a hateful thing. I couldn't believe how slow it was!

The worst thing was, it wasn't even economical because you had to push it so hard to keep up with traffic. Best avoided I think! The 1.8 VVT engine is nice in the mk5, as are the 1.9 CDTI engines but I would imagine they cost a bit more and like you say, are prone to more faults.

The mk4 was a nice car, but I had so much trouble with it. Ended up trading it in against a mk3 Mondeo for £50 less than I paid for it the year before

I have the 1.6 MK5 and it's nippy enough for me at the moment haha, although I'm quite bored of it now :/

haha yeah, couldn't agree more. I see a lot of people saying their small engined hatchbacks are susprisingly "nippy", or fast enough. As soon as you drive something quicker your views of what is quick will change rapidly.

Quicker cars are safer cars anyway.....now before someone negs me or announces I'm a boy racer or something. Quicker cars nearly always have better brakes, better handling, more grip, more responsive, and the power to overtake someone and get back on the left hand side quicker, thus endangering yourself and other road users less.

Which one is the most powerful?
Which one has the best handling?
How much will the insurance cost?

I would like the Nissan 300zx, as it is powerful and it has a large engine (it also is pretty cheap). I keep changing my mind as the Nissan Skyline is my favourite car, but the 3000gt and the Eclipse look better.

I will also be customizing the car, I'll be adding nitrous oxide, better brakes and maybe better suspension (this will happen about 4-12 months after buying the car).

Can anyone help me? I'm looking at getting a Ford Ka and I've found 2 in my local area which seem decent.
One is a 2001 model with 40,000 miles, costing £750 and the other is a 2003 model with 60,000 miles, costing £850. They're both in the same insurance and tax group.
Would a slightly older model with less miles be better that a slightly newer model with more miles? Obviously I'd test drive them both. Thanks

(Original post by charlotteyasmin)
Can anyone help me? I'm looking at getting a Ford Ka and I've found 2 in my local area which seem decent.
One is a 2001 model with 40,000 miles, costing £750 and the other is a 2003 model with 60,000 miles, costing £850. They're both in the same insurance and tax group.
Would a slightly older model with less miles be better that a slightly newer model with more miles? Obviously I'd test drive them both. Thanks

Late 2002 Ford replaced the 1.3 Endura-E (thus in the 01 reg) with the 1.3 Duratec (thus in the 03 reg).
The 1.3 Duratec has increased bhp, torque and provides better fuel economy.
So for that reason get the 03 model.

July 2004 ABS became standard on all Ka's, so you may want to check that the 01 and 03 reg have ABS as it was likely a option at that stage?

Which one is the most powerful?
Which one has the best handling?
How much will the insurance cost?

I would like the Nissan 300zx, as it is powerful and it has a large engine (it also is pretty cheap). I keep changing my mind as the Nissan Skyline is my favourite car, but the 3000gt and the Eclipse look better.

I will also be customizing the car, I'll be adding nitrous oxide, better brakes and maybe better suspension (this will happen about 4-12 months after buying the car).

What car do you think I should get?

What other cheap, powerful cars are there?

lol u made me laugh so hard goodluck gettin an r34 for under 25 grand and goodluck insurance

Which one is the most powerful?
Which one has the best handling?
How much will the insurance cost?

I would like the Nissan 300zx, as it is powerful and it has a large engine (it also is pretty cheap). I keep changing my mind as the Nissan Skyline is my favourite car, but the 3000gt and the Eclipse look better.

I will also be customizing the car, I'll be adding nitrous oxide, better brakes and maybe better suspension (this will happen about 4-12 months after buying the car).

What car do you think I should get?

What other cheap, powerful cars are there?

Depends what your budget is and what you want to do.

Mazda RX8 you can pick up a good one for pennies but thats because the rotary engines tend to wear out and loose compression even at low mileages and hence theres a fairly big risk.

If you want a sporty fast car, the Celica is not for you unless you can find an import, the T190 is not nearly competition to most other serious performance cars.

My advice is an E46 BMW M3 they are absolutely sensational and will thrill you every time whilst still being very comfortable and useable for day to day driving.

I'm leaning towards the micra atm as I know you can get automatic ones (don't know about the other two). I like automatics as my dad's car is automatic and it's like driving a go-kart :P so easy compared to manual :P

Opinions on the above cars?

Also, when I go to look at the cars, what should I be looking FOR??? In terms of whether the car is mechanically sound, etc. And what documentation should I ask to see?

I'm leaning towards the micra atm as I know you can get automatic ones (don't know about the other two). I like automatics as my dad's car is automatic and it's like driving a go-kart :P so easy compared to manual :P

Opinions on the above cars?

Also, when I go to look at the cars, what should I be looking FOR??? In terms of whether the car is mechanically sound, etc. And what documentation should I ask to see?

You can get the Corsa with an automatic gearbox. As far as I remember there never was a version of a Ka with an automatic gearbox.

Between the Corsa and Micra, the Micra is the better of the 2.

As for what to check, start with the service and maintenance history, it should be on average serviced once a year and a plus if it has receipts to back it up too. But to get a truer picture of the condition of the car, you're best bringing that car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection, you can be told just exactly what is wrong with it and you could use it as either a bargaining chip to reduce the price of the car or get the seller to rectify it prior to delivery.

(Original post by Herr)
You can get the Corsa with an automatic gearbox. As far as I remember there never was a version of a Ka with an automatic gearbox.

Between the Corsa and Micra, the Micra is the better of the 2.

As for what to check, start with the service and maintenance history, it should be on average serviced once a year and a plus if it has receipts to back it up too. But to get a truer picture of the condition of the car, you're best bringing that car to a trusted mechanic for an inspection, you can be told just exactly what is wrong with it and you could use it as either a bargaining chip to reduce the price of the car or get the seller to rectify it prior to delivery.

That's really helpful, thanks. Just wondered... how does one find a 'trusted mechanic'??? :P I looked on the AA website and you can call a man out to check a car over but it costs about £150...

(Original post by Writer_Kitty)
That's really helpful, thanks. Just wondered... how does one find a 'trusted mechanic'??? :P I looked on the AA website and you can call a man out to check a car over but it costs about £150...

Well the easiest way is to ask around people closest to you where they bring their cars for a service or routine maintenance.

Since these cars are regular run-of-mill cars just about any mechanic should be well versed with it especially in Britain where those cars sold in big numbers.

I've just started my lessons and I know NOTHING about cars.
If I was to have a budget of around £1000 to buy a car once I'm done (excluding insurance ect obv) would this be realistic at all?
Would just be to get me from home to uni ect.
Doesn't need to be flashy.

(Original post by BoyceAvenue)
I've just started my lessons and I know NOTHING about cars.
If I was to have a budget of around £1000 to buy a car once I'm done (excluding insurance ect obv) would this be realistic at all?
Would just be to get me from home to uni ect.
Doesn't need to be flashy.

Yes thats fine, tell me the kind of thing your looking for and what you need it for and I'll give you some idea about what car, what engine, what spec and how much to pay.

(Original post by aidans34)
Yes thats fine, tell me the kind of thing your looking for and what you need it for and I'll give you some idea about what car, what engine, what spec and how much to pay.

Well I live in a city so it's basically just a reliable, fuel efficient run-around.
Wouldn't be doing much motorway driving, literally just like work, uni, home, shopping ect.
Something that would last without much repairs ect.
Not bothered if it's only 3dr either.
Something basic
Thank you!

(Original post by BoyceAvenue)
Well I live in a city so it's basically just a reliable, fuel efficient run-around.
Wouldn't be doing much motorway driving, literally just like work, uni, home, shopping ect.
Something that would last without much repairs ect.
Not bothered if it's only 3dr either.
Something basic
Thank you!

You probably best off with a 1.2 petrol as diesels aren't all that economical around town if they havent had chance to warm up. If you look hard and make a lot of phone calls you'll be able to get a corsa on an 03 for under a grand without particularly high miles which shouldnt give you any problems necessarily. Don't go for a red model, the paint looses all the pigment. Life and Club are a bit basic but you'll pay over the odds for an SXi so probably best to get one of the specifications in the middle. The 1.0 is too slow it'll just wind you up. Avoid the fiat punto at all costs, its chronic for unreliability.

(Original post by aidans34)
You probably best off with a 1.2 petrol as diesels aren't all that economical around town if they havent had chance to warm up. If you look hard and make a lot of phone calls you'll be able to get a corsa on an 03 for under a grand without particularly high miles which shouldnt give you any problems necessarily. Don't go for a red model, the paint looses all the pigment. Life and Club are a bit basic but you'll pay over the odds for an SXi so probably best to get one of the specifications in the middle. The 1.0 is too slow it'll just wind you up. Avoid the fiat punto at all costs, its chronic for unreliability.

Hmm, I would be careful with a high milage corsa as there are many timing chain issues. Best to go with the SXI trim. I myself have a 1.8 SRI and insurance is really low, and im just 17 = P

(Original post by Gothica)
Hmm, I would be careful with a high milage corsa as there are many timing chain issues. Best to go with the SXI trim. I myself have a 1.8 SRI and insurance is really low, and im just 17 = P

True, but you shouldn't have to go over 80k if you really look hard, unless you get the SXI trim, or you could find one thats had the timing chain replaced or get it done yourself, its not expensive to do (but obviously a major problem if it breaks). Nice cars those 1.8's when you say really low how low if you don't mind me asking? Also it'd be more challenging to find a 1.8 in decent nick for under 1k,

(Original post by Gothica)
Hmm, I would be careful with a high milage corsa as there are many timing chain issues. Best to go with the SXI trim. I myself have a 1.8 SRI and insurance is really low, and im just 17 = P

Cambelts have to be replaced every 60000 miles or so in most cars. Check the service history to see when it was last done - if recently, you're okay; if not, use it to knock the price down and take it into a specialist to replace. Should be roughly £300-£350 all in, or £400 from a dealer. If the cambelt is the only thing that needs replacing you could have a bargain.